After the recent series of falls in cycling, John Degenkolb calls for an intensive discussion of the issue of safety and appropriate measures for the future. “You should definitely talk about this topic and think about whether you can change things. The races will be faster, tighter and more aggressive,” said Degenkolb during a preese lap before the 61st edition of the Eschborn-Frankfurt classic on May 1st in Frankfurt am Main.
The 35-year-old therefore suggests a kind of “round table”. “The world association, the race organizers, the teams and the drivers should get together and draw up statutes to make the races safer for the future,” said Degenkolb. However, he is skeptical about the recently discussed introduction of yellow and red cards in cycling. Unlike in football, “everything happens so quickly,” said Degenkolb.
In the past few weeks there have been a number of crashes in which stars such as Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, time trial world champion Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic from the German team Bora-hansgrohe and Wout van Aert have suffered serious injuries .
“Increased risks in unnecessary places”
Degenkolb sees another reason for this in the increasing number of career changers in professional cycling, many of whom, in his opinion, do not have the technical requirements. “This is a complex sport. Many have the physical performance, but not the experience to react correctly on the bike in extreme situations. You only learn that if you have ridden a bike since childhood,” said Degenkolb.
Jonasrutsch, who crashed at the classic Paris-Roubaix a week ago, also holds the drivers accountable. “The trend is for people to take more risks in unnecessary places in order to cheat their way up a few positions,” said the professional from the EF Education-EasyPost team.
The 26-year-old therefore appealed to the drivers’ personal responsibility: “You have to be aware that a serious fall affects other things than your sport or job.”
It is questionable whether Degenkolb will start in Frankfurt
It is currently unclear whether local hero John Degenkolb can take part in the race around Frankfurt. “My knee is a bit thick. Now patience is required,” said the 35-year-old on Tuesday, but announced: “I will do everything I can to be on the starting line on May 1st.”
The 203.8 kilometer long traditional race draws its appeal primarily from the demanding climbing sequence in the Taunus. It goes over the 3.5 kilometer long climb to Mammolshainer Berg with a maximum gradient of 14 percent and continues directly over the Billtalhöhe to the more difficult Feldberg driveway. “The provisional start list shows that many teams have adjusted to the new course,” said race director Fabian Wegmann.
The field of participants is led by last year’s winner Sören Kragh Andersen from Denmark. Record winner Alexander Kristoff from Norway, who has celebrated four times in front of the Alte Oper, and the Irish Sam Bennett, who won in 2022, will also be at the start.
The hopes for the 14th German victory rest on several shoulders. In addition to Politt, Emanuel Buchmann, Maximilian Schachmann and Pascal Ackermann are also there. For the 30-year-old, who secured Germany’s last victory in 2019, it is the comeback after a broken collarbone suffered six weeks ago
